I've come across a couple of cases of 1990 Chinese (Norinco) steel core 7.62x39 and wanted people's opinion on what it might be worth. Prices seem to be all over the map and quite arbitrary, so I'm trying to verify before I either sell it or shoot it. It's the copper washed steel, headstamp 31 90. Steel core, likely, and thus in some people's minds it's a bit like AP. That said, what's the guess on value for a full case of 1140 rounds?
Chinese steel core 7.62x39
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illinoisburt
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I bought dozens of cases of that stuff for $69 to $80 in 1990-93. Still have a few boxes from then, but there is much better ammo to shoot these days.
Real world prices I have seen at shows where it actually sold is around $8 a box.
Seriously, the ammo does have some followers who are misguided. It is not AP. The core is soft and velocity is low so penetration ability is pretty anemic compared to standard 55 gr FMJ 223. It is corrosive primed and stinks when you shoot them. Be sure to clean your rifle well with water, windex, or ballistol including the gas port and piston or it will rust.
Real world prices I have seen at shows where it actually sold is around $8 a box.
Seriously, the ammo does have some followers who are misguided. It is not AP. The core is soft and velocity is low so penetration ability is pretty anemic compared to standard 55 gr FMJ 223. It is corrosive primed and stinks when you shoot them. Be sure to clean your rifle well with water, windex, or ballistol including the gas port and piston or it will rust.
jonnyc
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That seems a bit late for steel core, you might want to pull a bullet and confirm. A long, boat-tailed bullet has a steel core, a short flat-based bullet has a lead core. A magnet test will tell you nothing conclusive. In either case, it is nothing more than good shooting, corrosive primed ball ammo.
Dr. Sandman
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22-28 cents per round.
fireman 9731
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If its all on stripper clips, that adds some to the value as well.
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